Bubble cap assembly with choke



J1me 1955 R. M. YOUNG EIAL BUBBLE CAP ASSEMBLY WITH CHOKE 2 Shees-Sheet1 Filed April 7, 1952 e40 K/f. you/J6 JOHN 44. 20/149 INVENTORS firraeuas June 7, 1955 R. M. YOUNG ETAL BUBBLE CAP ASSEMBLY WITH CHOKE FiledApril 7, 1.952

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS' HTTOIQA/EMS BUBBLE CAP ASSEMBLY WITH CHOKERalph M. Young, Alhambra, and John M. Tokar, Altadena, Califi, assignorstoC. F. Braun & Co., Alhambra, Calif., a corporation of Calif.

Application April 7, 1952, Serial No. 281,018

11 Claims. (Cl. 261-114) This invention relates to bubble cap and riserassemblies of the type employed in liquid-gas contact apparatus commonlyused in the processing of hydrocarbons. This invention is particularlydirected to an improved form of bubble cap and riser assembly having aflow passage therethrough which may be restricted as desired by means ofa novel form of choke.

Bubble cap and riser assemblies are commonly mounted in communicationwith openings provided on tray plates of liquid-gas contact apparatus.For economy of manufacture and standardization of parts, bubble cap andriser assemblies in any one installation are usually of the same sizeand design. In conventional installations the number and size of thebubble cap and riser assemblies determines the total passage area forupward flow of gas from the space below a particular tray plate to thespace above it. If, for anyreason, it should be desired to in crease ordecrease the total passage area for ascending gas, it is necessary toincrease or decrease the number of bubble .cap and riser "assemblies.This may be difficult to accomplish in an existing installation, becauseit may require changing of .the distribution pattern of the bubble capand riser assemlies onithe tray plate.

In accordance with ourinvention, we provide a removable choke diskwithin the central opening of the riser so that the passage area throughthe riser may be varied as desired. Disksof various diameters may beemployed to restrict flow of ascending gas to any degree necessary.Choke disks of this type may be employed in all or part of the bubblecap and riser assemblies on any particular tray plate, and the sizeofthe choke disks may be selected in order to achieve desiredcharacteristics of flow of ascending gas for optimum liquidgas contact.

Accordingly, it is the principal-object vof our invention to provide anovel form of bubble cap andriser assembly having an adjustable choke.Anotherobject is to provide a device of this type which may be readilyinstalled and removed from the tray plate of a bubble column by a singleoperator working on one side of the plate. Another object is to providea device of this type in which the choke disk is secured to a centrallydisposed holddown yoke. A related object is to provide such a device inwhich the choke disk does not interfere with ready installation orremoval of the bubble cap and riser assembly from one side of the trayplate. A moredetailed object is to provide a bubble cap and riserassembly having a holddown yoke provided with .a downward facingshoulder, the holddown yoke also havingmeans for releasably securing achoke disk in position against said shoulder. Other and related objectsand advantages will appear hereinafter.

ln-the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing a preferred embodiment of ourinvention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view in section taken substantially on thelines 2-2 shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view partly broken away showing details of theholddown yoke, disk choke, and securing wedge.

nited States Patent 2,710,177 Eatented June 7, 1955 Figure 4 is asectional detail taken substantially on the line 44 as shown in Figure1.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure '4 showing the securing wedge inreleased position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the manner ofassembly and removal of'the bubble cap and riser assembly from the trayplate.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a larger choke disk inposition.

Referring to the drawings, the bubble cap and riser assembly generallydesignated 10 includes a cap 11 having a top wall 12 and a skirt 13. Theskirt 13 is provided with a plurality of apertures 14 as shown. Theassembly 10 also includes a riser 15 which is generally cylindrical inform, and which preferably is provided with lower lip or extension 16which is received within an opening or aperture 1'7 in the tray plate18. The riser 15 may be cut from a length of tubular material or may berolled from a length of strip stock, as desired. The flange ring 19 issecured to and forms a part of the riser and supports it on the uppersurface of the tray plate 18. The flange ring 19 may be attached bypress fit, shrink fit, by welding or in any other desirable or preferredmanner, or it may be formed as an integral part of the tubular riser 15.

Means are provided for mounting the cap 11 on the riser 15, and as shownin the drawings this means takes the form of supporting clips 2% whichmay be fastened either to the cap or the riser. As shown, the clips 20are each provided with tabs 21 which project through apertures providedin the cylindrical riser 15. The tabs 21 are deformed or bent over atopposite directions as shown in Figure 2 to provide a secure attachmentfor connecting the clips '29 to the riser 15. If desired, each clip 20may be provided with a stiffening fin or indentation 22. The top wall.12 of the cap 11 rests on the upper ends of the supporting clips 20.The clips 26 extend radially outwardly and engage the cap 11 to centerit with respect to the riser 15.

Means are provided for securing the assembly 10 in position on the trayplate 18 in communication with the opening i7. As shown in the drawings,this means includes the holddown yoke 23 which extends through theinterior of the riser 15. The lower end of the yoke 23is provided withoppositely extending projections 24 and each 'of these projections hasan upwardly facing shoulder 25 which underlies a portion of the trayplate 18. The upper end of the holddown yoke 23 comprises a stem 26which is slidably received within an opening 2'7 located in the centerof the wall 12 of'the cap 11. Shoulders 28 at the lower end of the stem26 limit the extent of upward movement of the holddown yoke 23 withrespect to the cap 11 when the assembly is not in position on the trayplate 18.

Vertical slot 29 is provided in the stem 26 for reception of a securingwedge member 30. The wedge member 30 is formed of sheet or stripmaterial and has an upper inclined surface 31.

The holddown yoke 23 is provided with a downwardly facing shoulder 38which is located between the level of the feet 24 and the stem 26. Tabs39 project downward from the central portion of the shoulder 38. A chokedisk 4t) which is circular .in shape is provided with a central opening42 and radial slots 41 which extend to the outer circumference of thedisk. The slots 41 are wide enough to receive the diverging legs of theholddown yoke 23 including the increased thickness occasioned by thepresence of the stiffening fins or indentations 43. The upper surface ofthe disk engages the downwardly facing shoulder 38 and the tabs 39project through the opening 42. When the disk 40 is in place the tabs 39may be bent in opposite directions by means of a screw driver or othersuitable tool to secure the disk 46 to the holddown yoke 3 23. When thebubble cap 11, riser 15, holddown yoke 23, wedge member 30 and chokedisk 40 are assembled as shown in Figure l, the choke disk 40 is locatedsubstantially midway between the top and bottom of the riser 15 and isconcentrically positioned therein. The choke disk 40 is thus firmlysecured against tilting or lateral shifting.

The choke disk 46 restricts the passage area through the interior of theriser 15 and the size of the choke disk determines the degree ofrestriction. Figure 7 shows a choke disk 40a of larger diameter but ofthe same design and configuration secured on the holddown yoke 23 withinthe riser 15. The larger choke disk 4dr: leaves a smaller annularpassage area for ascending gas within the riser 15, as will be readilyunderstood.

The choke disk 40 is preferably installed on the holddown yoke 23 beforethe bubble cap assembly lid is placed in position on the tray plate 18.The bubble cap assembly 10 may be removed as a unit from the tray plateto facilitate change in size of the choke disk. If the maximum passagearea for ascending gas is desired for a particular bubble cap assemblythe choke disk 49 is entirely omitted. In such case the passage areathrough the riser 15 is not restricted by any attachment means for thechoke disk, since the resistance caused by the tabs 39 to the flow ofascending gas is negligible. Figures 2 and 7 show that the thicknessesof the yoke 23 and clips 20 are very small and offer a minimum ofresistance to flow. The passage area available through the riser 15therefore varies from substantially unrestricted flow to any desireddegree of restriction through the use of choke disks 40 of any desiredsize.

The presence of the choke disk 40 on the holddown yoke 23 does notinterfere with installation and removal of the bubble cap assembly 10 asa unit from the upper side of the tray plate. Figures 5 and 6 show howthe unitary installation and removal of the bubble cap assembly 10 maybe accomplished by a single workman above the tray plate 18. Each of thelateral projections 24 on the holddown yoke 23 is provided with aclearance radius portion 44 which may engage an edge of the circularopening 17 in the tray plate 18 and permit the opposite projection 24 toswing down into the opening. When both of the projections 24 are locatedbeneath the tray plate 13 the assembly it is shifted laterally to allowthe lower end 16 of the riser 15 to enter the opening 17. The flange 19then supports the assembly 10 on the tray plate 18.

During installation of the assembly It the wedge member occupies theposition shown in Figure 5. The holddown yoke 23 is then at its lowestposition with respect to the cap 11. After the lower end 16 of the riser15 is in place within the opening 17, the stem 26 is raised and theassembly It clamped in position by driving the wedge member 30 into theslot 29 to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but ourinvention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a bubble cap and riser assembly, the combination of: a riser, abubble cap encompassing the upper end of the riser, a holddown memberextending through the interior of the riser for securing the assembly inposition, a choke disk, and means releasably securing said choke disk tothe holddown member at a position between the ends of the riser forrestricting the passage area through the riser, said choke diskextending laterally of said holddown member at said position.

2. in a bubble cap and riser assembly, the combination of: a riser, abubble cap encompassing the upper end of the riser, a holddown memberextending through the interior of the riser for securing the assembly inposition, said member having a downwardly facing shoulder, and a chokedisk releasably secured on the holddown memher against said shoulder forrestricting passage area through the riser.

3. In a bubble cap and riser assembly, the combination of: a riser, abubble cap encompassing the upper end of the riser, a holddown memberextending through the interior of the riser for securing the assembly inposition, a choke disk for restricting passage area through the riser,the holddown member having diverging legs and a downwardly facingshoulder, and the choke disk being releasably secured against theshoulder and having slots receiving the diverging legs.

4. In a bubble cap and riser assembly, the combination of: a riser, abubble cap encompassing the upper end of the riser, a holddown memberextending through the interior of the riser for securing the assembly inposition, a choke disk for restricting passage area through the riser,the holddown member having diverging legs and a downwardly facingshoulder, securing means on the holddown member projecting downward fromthe shoulder, and the choke disk having a central opening to receive thesecuring means and having slots to receive the diverging legs.

5. In a bubble cap and riser assembly, the combination of: a riser, abubble cap encompassing the upper end of the riser, a holddown memberextending through the interior of the riser for securing the assembly inposition, the holddown member having a transverse shoulder positionedbetween the ends of the riser, a choke disk, and releasable means on theholddown member for securing said choke disk to said shoulder forrestricting the passage area through the riser.

6. In a bubble cap and riser assembly for an apertured tray plate, thecombination of: a riser adapted to rest on a tray plate and communicatewith an aperture formed therein, a bubble cap encompassing the upper endof the riser and having a central opening, a holddown yoke extendingthrough the bubble cap opening and having portions shaped to extendthrough said aperture and engage the underside of the tray plate, theholddown yoke having a downwardly facing shoulder located between theupper and lower ends of the riser, a choke disk releasably secured tosaid shoulder, and means engaging the upper end of the holddown yoke todraw the yoke upwardly to clamp the assembly to said tray plate.

7. In a bubble cap and riser assembly for an apertured tray plate, thecombination of: a riser adapted to rest on a tray plate and communicatewith an aperture formed therein, a bubble cap encompassing the upper endof the riser and having a central opening, a holddown yoke havingdownwardly diverging legs and an upwardly extending stem, the stemextending through the bubble cap opening and projecting above saidbubble cap, the holddown yoke having a downwardly facing shoulderlocated between the upper and lower ends of the riser, a choke diskreleasably secured to said shoulder, the lower ends of the legs beingshaped to extend through said aperture and engage the underside of thetray plate, and means engaging the stem above the bubble cap to draw theyoke upwardly to clamp the assembly to said tray plate.

8. In a bubble cap and riser assembly for an apertured tray plate, thecombination of: a riser adapted to rest on a tray plate and communicatewith an aperture formed therein, a bubble cap supported on the riser andhaving a central opening, a holddown yoke having downwardly diverginglegs and an upwardly extending stem, the stem extending through thebubble cap opening and projecting above said bubble cap, the holddownyoke having a downwardly facing shoulder located between the upper andlower ends of the riser, a choke disk releasably secured to saidshoulder for restricting passage area through the riser, the lower endsof the legs being shaped to extend through said aperture and engage theunderside of the tray plate, and wedge means engaging the stem above thebubble cap to draw the yoke upwardly to clamp the assembly to said trayplate.

9. A holddown yoke for securing a bubble cap and riser assembly to anapertured tray plate, comprising: an upwardly projecting stem joinedintegrally with a pair of downwardly diverging legs, the legs eachhaving an outwardly directed projection at the lower end thereof, theyoke having a'downwardly facing shoulder located between said diverginglegs, a choke element, and releasable means on the yoke adjacent saidshoulder whereby said choke element may be secured thereto.

10. A holddown yoke for securing a bubble cap and riser assembly to anapertured tray plate, comprising: an upwardly projecting stem joinedintegrally with a pair of downwardly extending diverging legs, the legseach having an outwardly directed projection at the lower end thereof,the yoke having a downwardly facing shoulder located between saiddiverging legs, a choke disk, and releasable means on the yoke adjacentsaid shoulder for securing said choke disk to saidshoulder.

11. A holddown yoke for securing a bubble cap and riser assembly to anapertured tray plate, comprising: an upwardly projecting stern joinedintegrally with a pair of downwardly extending diverging legs, the legseach having an outwardly directed projection at the lower end thereof,the yoke having a downwardly facing shoulder located between saiddiverging legs, a circular choke disk having slots in its periphery toreceive said diverging legs, and cooperating means on the yoke and chokedisk for releasably securing the choke disk against said shoulder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,055,048 Puls Sept. 22, 1936 2,090,534 Kilayko Aug. 17, 1937 2,338,928Glitsch Jan. 11, 1944 2,428,889 Nutter Oct. 14, 1947 2,602,652 HaynesJuly 8, 1952 OTHER REFERENCES Serial No. 360,260, Giehne et al. (A. P.C.), published May 25, 1943.

